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Quick answer: DIY the cheap, contained fixes — running toilets, dripping faucets, clogged drains, supply-line and shut-off swaps. Call a plumber for anything involving gas, sewage backups in multiple drains, in-wall or slab leaks, water heaters, or a leak you can’t stop after shutting the water off. The rule: if it’s getting worse after you’ve shut the water off, stop and call.
Safe to DIY
- Running or leaking toilet — flapper/fill valve
- Dripping faucet — cartridge/O-rings
- Clogged drain — plunger/snake
- Low water pressure — clean aerators/shower heads
- Swapping supply lines and shut-off valves
Call a Pro
- Anything involving gas or a gas water heater
- Sewage backing up into more than one drain (main-line clog)
- Leaks inside a wall, ceiling, or slab
- Water heater leaking from the tank
- No water, or brown/rusty water, throughout the house
- A leak you can’t stop after shutting off the water
The Honest Rule of Thumb
A service call is cheaper than a flooded floor. If you’re unsure, stabilize the situation (shut off water, clamp leaks) and call. Knowing when not to DIY is part of doing it right.